Jan
2018

Book Review: Alterations by Stephanie Scott

categories: Books, Reviews

AlterationsAlterations by Stephanie Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a digital copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Amelia is a quiet and reserved girl who has been in love with her mother’s employer’s son, Ethan for as long as she can remember. When her grandmother signs her up for a prestigious fashion internship in NYC, Amelia is reluctant to go. She doesn’t want to be away from home and she certainly doesn’t want to be away from Ethan. After all, this summer was going to be her chance to show him that they belonged together. However once Amelia gets to New York, she discovers a totally new world as well as a totally new side to herself. Returning back to Miami as a changed and more confident version of herself, Amelia catches the eye of Ethan while working with his brother, Liam.
This was a pretty long read but I enjoyed it immensely. I loved how focused and career-orientated Amelia was. She reminded me of myself back in high school and I really enjoyed seeing that. I loved watching Ethan go from a flat character who was just hot, rich and popular to an actual fleshed-out person. This was a fun, light-hearted read that I definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys YA.

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Dec
2017

7 Tips for Finding Books on a Budget

categories: Books

I am ridiculously skilled at finding cheap books. Is it because I’m a bookworm? Is it because I’m a shopaholic? I don’t know! However I am going to share some of my tips on finding great books on a budget:

  1. Shop around- Lots of bookstores have the same book but at totally different prices. If there’s a title you really want, check a few stores to compare prices before you buy.
  2. Shop the sales- Ah, bookstore sales. Few things make my heart race faster than a book sale. Well, maybe working out does. But there is nothing that can compare to the joy of being at a book sale and then finding the book you have wanted for ages. (Oh, hello there, Memory of Flora Banks for just R35)
  3. Check discounted bookstores- Guys, I don’t know how this works but I desperately need to know. Bookstores like Bargain Books and Readers Warehouse have some really cheap books in excellent condition. I don’t know how they do it but my wallet and my bookshelf are both very grateful.
  4. Shop secondhand- Lots of secondhand bookstores and book sales have books in great condition. My favourite source of secondhand books is the SPCA. They have books in pretty good condition at really great prices.
  5. Check the library- If you’ve been here long enough you know that I hate my local library (don’t ask, it gets me upset) but it is a great source for reading material. Atleast it is if your library is up to date and the librarians are not awful like my local library.
  6. Trade your books- Okay, so I don’t know if we do this in SA but sometimes people get together to trade their books so they can give away what they don’t want and get something that they do. This is a great way to maintain your shelves and your budget.
  7. Borrow from a friend- I listed this option last because I am not a lending person and I know a few bookworms who are the same. If you are lucky enough to have someone lend you a book, please take care of it. It is only decent manners to do so.

What are some of the ways that you manage to get books on a budget? I’d love to know below.


Nov
2017

5 Productive Things to Do While Looking for a Job

categories: Career

Job-hunting is difficult. It is even more difficult when you’re unemployed and have nothing to distract you from job-hunting. Here are five productive things to do while you’re looking for a job.

5 Productive Things to Do While Looking for a Job

 

1) Volunteer somewhere- This shows that you haven’t just spent your time as a job-seeker at home. You made a meaningful change. Also, staying at home can get depressing so volunteering lets you make a positive change to someone which in turn makes you feel better. It also looks great when you can show that you did something productive without needing to get compensated in any way.

2) Learn a new skill- There are so many amazing online classes out there. I found some on Criminology and Management only to be distracted by the free Microsoft tutorials offered on the Microsoft Office website. (Fun fact- after I finished the Microsoft Excel tutorials I actually ended up getting a job that used Excel regularly).

3) Take time to perfect your resume and cover letter- A great thing about not having a job is that you have lots of time. Spend some of that time on tailoring your resume and cover letter for each position. This will maximize the impact of your application as well.

4) Network to get a job- Talk to people you know to see if they know anyone who is hiring. This was one of the best ways that I could get my CV out there and I definitely recommend it to others. You never know who knows who and where you could land up.

5) Take unpaid work or an internship – While working for no pay is not something most people want to do, sometimes the experience and lessons learnt are invaluable. You could learn skills that could be put to use in another field.

These tips are sure to help you be super-productive and ready to kick butt at your next interview.


Nov
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer 

categories: Books, Reviews

Spindle Fire (Spindle Fire #1)Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Spindle Fire is a retelling/unusual adaption of Sleeping Beauty. Now while any fairytale retelling hooks me, Spindle Fire had the added bonus of being wonderfully dark. This sleeping beauty cannot feel or speak while her sister (the king’s bastard) is unable to see.
When Princess Aurora and her sister Isabelle are separated, Aurora ends up accidentally pricking herself on a spindle and falling into a deep sleep. However this sleeping sickness soon moves to the rest of the kingdom and Isabelle might be the only one who can save them. This was an incredibly well-written, compelling read and I enjoyed it immensely. I found it difficult to put down. There’s countless fairytales, sibling rivalry, dark fae and lots of plot twists.
However this is the first of a series and leaves you with an awful cliffhanger. This is a series that you need to binge-read. This book has mystery, romance and intrigue. I cannot wait for the sequel. This was a great read for anyone who enjoys fantasy or fairytale retellings

View all my reviews


Nov
2017

Fiction Friday- Book Review: Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

categories: Books, Reviews

Without MeritWithout Merit by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why are you even reading this review? This a Colleen Hoover book. You don’t need to read reviews of Colleen Hoover books. They’re published with a seal of excellence. This book in particular is well-written and very moving. It has romance, some plot twists and some angst. Go get yourself a copy ASAP.
(I notice that you are still here reading this review. Fine then. I’ll share my thoughts on this book with you. But you really should get yourself a copy).
Merit is pretty much ignored by her entire oddball family. She is known as the troublemaker, the one who always seems to have issues with everyone else. What no one realizes is that the reason why Merit is so miserable is because she is forced to keep all of her family member’s secrets. Merit buries her feelings with an unusual hobby of buying trophies that once belonged to other people.
One day while looking for a trophy, Merit runs into the gorgeous Sagan. They share a passionate moment but Merit quickly discovers that Sagan is taken. When he reappears in her life, Merit becomes even more isolated.
This book was like a combination of the romance in “Hopeless” and the serious issues raised in “It Ends With Us” (which explains that cover that look so much like IEWU).
This book retains Colleen Hoover’s wit and beautiful romance but also tackles real-life issues which I appreciated. This was an amazing read that I recommend to anyone who know hows to read. Trust me, you’ll enjoy this book.
(Now PLEASE go and get yourself a damn copy already).

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Oct
2017

Fiction Friday- Book Review: The Divine Heart by Danielle R Mani

categories: Books, Reviews

The Divine HeartThe Divine Heart by Danielle R. Mani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“The Divine Heart” tells the story of Elle who is waiting for a heart transplant. When the operation does take place, Elle is left with unusual side-effects. Convinced that her donor is trying to tell her something, Elle decides to track her down. But on her journey to discover the truth, Elle realises that everyone around her seems to be hiding something and no one can be trusted.
This book was spooky and thrilling and I loved every second of it. I had my guesses about what was going on (they were mostly correct) but the ending was still surprising. I loved the character of Robbie as well as Elle’s (gorgeous) doctor. This book had me second-guessing everything and everyone.
“The Divine Heart” is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching book that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a mystery or paranormal fiction. This is a read that draw you in and grips you till the very last page.

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Oct
2017

Fiction Friday- Book Review: Shadow Faerie by Rachel Morgan (Creepy Hollow #8)

categories: Books, Reviews

Shadow Faerie (Creepy Hollow, #8)Shadow Faerie by Rachel Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shadow Faerie deals with the aftermath of Emerson’s decision in “Glass Faerie”. She is now about to be engaged to a possibly evil prince in return for his help in curing her mother. But no matter how much Em wants Roarke to help her, she is determined to escape the Unseelie Court and cure her mother. Em is convinced that there is no way that the Unseelies can keep her forever but they seem to be several steps ahead of her. The Unseelies are a wonderfully dark lot and I loved and hated them in equal measure. They were dark and twisted but incredibly intelligent. I loved the character of Aurora and look forward to seeing more of her. I also enjoyed how this novel showed a completely different part of the Creepy Hollow world. We finally get to see the Unseelie court that is mentioned so often in the other books. I also enjoyed the many plot twists in this book. I had no idea what was going to happen which made trusting any and all of the characters difficult.
My favourite part of this novel was the ending- Rachel Morgan always has the best and worst cliffhangers in her books but this book has an ending that I can live with until the sequel releases.
This book was impossible to put down and has incredible world-building. I can’t wait to read the sequel (or more books set in the Unseelie Court). This is a must-read for all fans of fantasy.

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Oct
2017

Book Review: Final Girls by Riley Sager

categories: Books, Reviews

Final GirlsFinal Girls by Riley Sager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And oh, what a read this has been. It has been about a month since I finished this book and I am still not over it.
Quincy, Lisa and Sam have been dubbed “Final Girls” by the press. Each of the girls were the only remaining survivor of three different massacres. It’s been a decade since Quincy and her friends were attacked at a cabin in the wood and she has put the past behind her. She has a great life, a great career and an amazing boyfriend. Her life is pretty perfect… Until she finds out that Lisa has killed herself. Lisa was a motivational speaker and possibly the most upbeat of the Final Girls. Her death leads to Sam showing up to meet Quincy in person. As the remaining Final Girls bond, two things quickly become clear- 1) Quincy is not as okay as she thought she was and 2) Sam can’t be trusted. Quincy may be done with her past but her past is certainly not done with her.
This novel had me glued to my seat. The plot was compelling and the writing was great. I also enjoyed the many plot twists. This novel was unexpected but so enjoyable. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. If you enjoy mystery novels and thrillers, you will love this book.

View all my reviews


Oct
2017

October Book Haul

categories: Books

My October book haul is pretty sad. I bought fewer books than usual. This was partially because I fell in love with a box of Archie comics and wanted them all. This was also because there were no YA Books at the sale. This is my haul:


Even though I wanted all the comics, I needed to be an adult and budget. If I took the comics, I needed to buy less books. Eventually my mother and I compromised and divided the cost of our books equally. We just bought the comics with a large collection of Nora Roberts books. This is my complete SPCA book haul:

I was really sad that I didn’t find any YA so I went to Bargain Books. Still no YA that I didn’t own. I went home really sad.

And then I went back to Bargain Books the next day because my dad was in the area. Don’t judge me! This is my haul:

With the exception of “Traitor to the Throne”, all these books were on sale. I’m incredibly proud of my budget-book-buying skills. Feel free to hire me to help you treat yo shelf at discount prices.

What books did you buy most recently? What are you excited to read this month? I’d love to know below. 


Oct
2017

Life Update: Me, My Shelf and I

categories: Books

There’s been lots of exciting things happening for me recently so I thought I’d do a blog post about some of them. 

First of all, I’ve finally gotten a permanent contract at work. This made me really happy since from the second I started work about six months ago, I knew that I loved my job. It’s kinda scary since it feels like I’m finally a serious working adult and I don’t know how to deal with that. I’m not equipped to be an adult. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen my new bookshelf. It’s black and red and absolutely gorgeous! 

Lastly I’ve been debating whether or not I should continue reviewing books. I’ve got about 10 or so review books that I still need to read but my regular print books are getting neglected which makes me sad. I miss reading just for fun and not because I need to have a review done before a certain date. I’m still not sure if I am going to still accept review books (it’ll kill me to miss out on all the great days) but it’s definitely something I need to think about.

That’s all for my life update. I’m hoping to have regular blog posts in the future but things never work out the way I want them to when it comes to the blog. 

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